Daihatsu Tanto FunCross

With the fourth-generation Daihatsu Tanto range gained their minor model change, a third entry was added and it's basically a direct rival to the Suzuki Spacia Gear; it's called the Daihatsu Tanto FunCross and it's the rugged version of the fourth-generation Daihatsu Tanto.

2023 Daihatsu Tanto FunCross

2023 Daihatsu Tanto FunCross

With prices starting at 1,721,500 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the Tanto FunCross is the rugged version of the fourth-generation Daihatsu Tanto that serves as the direct replacement for the recently discontinued Wake. Because this is basically a fourth-generation Tanto, the FunCross is about 35mm shorter than the Wake but similarly sized compared to the Suzuki Spacia Base, its main rival.

Beginning with the design, the FunCross features a rugged exterior with a tough front face and black claddings on the side and back. Although rugged, it's still considered by observers as "cute", just like the rest of the Tanto family.

2023 Daihatsu Tanto FunCross interior

On the interior, the FunCross's seats feature a camouflage design and some orange panelings that is in sync with its rugged design. Although they're somewhat show-off, the signature Tanto traits are still in this model; the signature pillarless door on the passenger side, space for four people, various seating arrangements, and various compartments to store your stuff, among many others. Word of advice, though, there are USB-C ports involved in this car so you better bring the right plug while on the go.

The Tanto FunCross runs on the DNGA architecture just like the fourth-generation Tanto range. Along with the rack-and-pinion steering, front MacPherson Strut suspension, ventilated disc front brakes, and leading trailing rear brakes, not to mention the torsion beams for FF models and 3-link rear suspension for 4WD models, the FunCross behaves pretty much like a Tanto despite its rugged looks, as expected. Although made for the great outdoors, it's still a city car that fits well with the Tokyo traffic.

Under the hood, the FunCross runs on the KF 660cc 3-cylinder DOHC 12V EFI engine in naturally aspirated or turbo flavors. Mated to a D-CVT, the fuel economy is up to 21.9km/L based on WLTC Mode standards, which is surprisingly more fuel efficient than the Suzuki Spacia Gear. That sounds like a win for Daihatsu.

Like most Tanto models, the Tanto FunCross features Smart Assist, a suite of active safety features ranging from collision avoidance, detection, driving load reduction, and parking. Along with its full LED headlamps, VSC, TRC, CTA, emergency stop signal, ABS, TAF body, SRS airbag, and ISOFIX, you got yourself a safe Tanto for all walks of life.

The Daihatsu Tanto FunCross may be more of a rugged version of the fourth-generation Tanto but when compared to the Suzuki Spacia Gear, looks like this one is the slightly clear winner because of its budget and fuel economy that begs to be driven for more. Although the rest of the Daihatsu Tanto lineup is now more fuel-efficient than the Suzuki Spacia family, don't call it a comeback just yet because...well, you get the point.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Daihatsu new Tanto/Subaru new Chiffon (LA650/660S)

The Daihatsu Tanto, known for its signature pillarless Raku-Raku Door on the passenger side, is now on its fourth generation (second generation if you're a Subarist who called this kei minivan the Chiffon), and this new version marks the turning point for Daihatsu because this is the first to don the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, which is just like Toyota's TNGA, only compact. More for that later on but right now, let's look at the new model which starts below the 1.3 million yen mark.

2020 Daihatsu Tanto

2020 Subaru Chiffon

2020 Subaru Chiffon

Like previous generations, the Tanto (or Chiffon for Subarists) is offered in two distinct versions such as the normal Tanto with looks reminiscent of the first-generation Tanto and the Tanto Custom, which is like the little brother of the 3-box hatchback brothers (namely Toyota's Roomy and Tank, Daihatsu's Thor, and Subaru's Justy of course). Either way, these kei minivans stay true to their kei car sizing fit enough for the Japanese suburbs and city streets.

2020 Daihatsu Tanto interior

2020 Subaru Chiffon interior

As a tall kei minivan, the new Tanto's interior is still as tall as the predecessors, of course, meaning there's a lot of room for the six-footers in the club and because it retains the signature pillarless door on the passenger side, it still feels easy to get out of like a glove. As an all-purpose kei car, the new Tanto (Chiffon) has various seating arrangements that will suit their needs, be it for personal or for business use. Whichever you want to do with it, you should be thankful that the new Tanto (Chiffon) does all the stuff like a normal van do in its everyday life.

Now, let's talk more about the Daihatsu New Global Architecture that the new model has and like the TNGA from Toyota, the DNGA platform is a flexible platform that accommodates the new model's design, powertrain, and dynamics. Not only the new platform made it more lively to drive with, but it also made it more fuel efficient than the previous model. With the DNGA platform, 660cc KF-series engine, and a CVT gearbox, it promises a combined fuel economy of 21.2km/L by WLTC mode standards, the same as today's Mitsubishi eK Wagon of course.

In the importance of safety, the new model features an improved Smart Assist with numerous preventive safety features applied all over the kei minivan, be it standard or optional, that will give owners much-needed confidence to drive in a relaxing manner from the beginning to the end of the day. Nothing delightful about the tech but it sure is worth an obvious feat.

The new Tanto (Chiffon) truly is a turning point for a company that makes small cars that can rival Suzuki's Spacia range because of its new platform, new tech, new design, and new interior, while retaining the signature pillarless door on the passenger side that makes the Tanto a Tanto. There's so much to talk about the new model but it's best to leave it for now.

Photo: Daihatsu/Subaru

Subaru Chiffon

By surprise, Subaru managed to borrow the current-generation Tanto compact minivan from Daihatsu, which is now under the control of Toyota Motor Corporation, just to sell it from the dealership as the new Chiffon, a sweet named for a borrowed Tanto kei minivan.

2017 Subaru Chiffon

2017 Subaru Chiffon Custom

As you may know, the new Subaru Chiffon borrows the recently facelifted Daihatsu Tanto for this and just like the Tanto, the Chiffon offers two different styles that suit their individualities. There's the standard Chiffon for the basic and then there's the Chiffon Custom for those who want to express themselves anywhere.

2017 Subaru Chiffon interior

2017 Subaru Chiffon Custom interior

Whichever Chiffon they would choose, they would still be welcomed by the tall and wide space for the interior that is tall enough for a basketball player to get in without compromise. There's even the pillarless sliding door on the passenger side just like the Tanto, which allows freedom to get in and out of the car without compromise. With practicality mainly focused on this car, the Chiffon, despite its sizing, can be a decent family car full-stop for those who got recently married and had kids for the very first time, or a car fit for a night out on a town with your mates who want to see some concerts, movies, any nightlife-related stuff they know about.

2017 Subaru Chiffon

Just like the Tanto, the new Subaru Chiffon's 660cc engine comes with the latest e:S Technology from the Pleo+, which is a borrowed Daihatsu Mira e:S, capable of bringing a fuel economy of 28.0km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. As for the Custom models, everyone knows that variants like these are offered with an exclusive turbocharged 660cc engine for 64PS of power output, nippy enough for the people on the go.

And then goes to the safety part of the car and just like the Tanto, the Chiffon is offered with SMART ASSIST 3, which improves the previous SMART ASSIST II features by giving it the world's smallest stereo cameras that can detect moving objects even more accurately without interfering with the driver's view and overhead space. It even comes with a collision warning function, lane departure warning, false start suppression control function, preceding vehicle start notification, and auto high beam. Just so you know.

The new Subaru Chiffon starts at 1,285,200 Yen for the base model while the Chiffon Custom starts at 1,617,840 Yen. Sounds reasonable for a Subaru-badged Daihatsu Tanto sold at most Subaru dealerships.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Third-generation Daihatsu Tanto and Tanto Custom (LA600S)

Today, Daihatsu launched the all-new third-generation Tanto tall kei van made to counter against the Honda N BOX and the Suzuki Spacia, all in the name of what it seems to be defending the honor of the Daihatsu kei-car, well sometimes. Anyway, let's do a bit of an "I Can Do Science Me" thingy, just so we can get to know about the all new model that features...the trademark pillarless sliding door on the passenger side.

If by "I CAN DO SCIENCE ME", here goes...

2014 Daihatsu Tanto

2014 Daihatsu Tanto Custom

The previous two generations of the Tanto are a bit round for its boxy shape but for the new version, things are getting a bit proportional because not only it stays true to the Tanto trend, it's starting to look even more noticing because judging by the looks, the new Tanto's design becomes even more promising, a bit more like the Daihatsu Move. Yes, I was pointing on the standard Tanto. As for the Custom model of the Tanto, however, it's as glam as a glam rocker, as punkish as a punk rocker...in a dwarf body. Sorry about that but while the standard model is basically focused for the couples raising children, the Custom targets the youth generation who wanted to express their individuality. Yes, I see what you did there.

2014 Daihatsu Tanto interior

2014 Daihatsu Tanto Custom interior

And then there's the interior and unlike the previous models, the new interior really tries to shake it up real good and because this the tallest Daihatsu kei car you can buy in Japan, your height really doesn't matter even when you're wearing a tall hat. One thing you may notice that on the more expensive versions, you can expect a smartphone-integrated satellite navigation, the same thing as expected on its Suzuki Spacia rival. Hmmm...did Daihatsu took that from its rival or is it because they're just too jealous? But wait, I haven't get through the other part because here on the brand new Tanto, there was a dealer option where you can have a rear monitor so you can have someone watching in the back without all the drama...well almost because you can expect your ears dry red from the long chatter.

2014 Daihatsu Tanto

2014 Daihatsu Tanto Custom

Anyway, now onto the real science experiment. Just how the new model stack up against the Spacia and the N BOX? Just before munching your favorite teriyaki burger in your office break, here's a quick 47-second science on the third-generation Tanto; it comes with the updated version of e:S Technology from the Mira e:S and I already know what that means if somebody told me. With this though, the new model has a fuel economy of 28.0km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Scaling that up, that's over four more than the N BOX but 1km/L less than the Suzuki Spacia. Hmmm...maybe they did heed the warning that if Daihatsu made a car that is more fuel efficient than the kei cars Suzuki had, they'll fight back. This new model really makes the case in the game of fairness.

The Tanto Custom model offers an exclusive turbocharged model respectively in case someone asks.

Finally there's this SMART ASSIST feature available on SA models of both the Tanto and the Tanto Custom and what it does is simple...it triggers the Emergency Stop Signal system, which warns following vehicles when the driver brakes sharply, to offer enhanced active safety. They learned that from Volvo, Subaru, and many others but be warned, although this was made to halt automatically in a near-collision scenario, you must take extreme caution while driving. Yes really, your instruction manual warns you about this even TV commercials.

As for the pricing, the new Tanto starts at 1.35 million Yen, a hundred thousand more than the Suzuki Spacia.

This is the new Daihatsu Tanto and this third-generation wanted to know if the new one stands a chance against the Suzuki Spacia in terms of fuel economy, convenience, and value. The answer, I believe, is NO.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Daihatsu Tanto and Tanto Custom Mk.2 - Minor Change

2011 Daihatsu Tanto

2011 Daihatsu Tanto Custom

No cheese please, because both the second-generation Tanto and Tanto Custom received a mild facelift, that is when you check both of these tall kei cars out from top to bottom. The regular Tanto doesn't do more of a mild refresh, that is that it gain a new color called "Muscat Green Metallic". This lime-like color is perfectly suitable enough to be called cute. On the sportier Tanto version called the Tanto Custom, the front view gets even more aggressive with its new grille and bumper. A new color is added on the Tanto Custom, that is called "Bronze Olive Pearl Metallic, giving this sporty kei car a touch of class.

Now, all Tanto variants offer in just one transmission, CVT. What remains is the same fuel efficiency of 21.0km/L (18.2km/L for the Tanto Custom RS) in both FF and 4WD variants.

My thoughts about the Tanto:
Keeping the only kei car with the "Miracle Open Door" up-to-date is a key point for the Daihatsu Tanto and Tanto Custom. New look, same features, so no cheese for me please. As always, the regular Tanto is suited for the simple Japanese family while the Tanto Custom is preferable in the eyes of a sophisticated enthusiast looking for some style. My pick would be the Tanto Custom because of its handsome look only this kei car would offer, but the Tanto Exe Custom's look declares "I'm a flagship kei car" for sure.



Photo: Daihatsu

Daihatsu Tanto Exe

Get ready to get your hands on something new, this new kei car is best to keep ever since the Move Conte and the Mira Cocoa. The best kei car from Daihatsu is finally emerged since the car's sneak preview from the Tokyo Motor Show. With excellence is the name of the game, the big brother of Tanto, the Tanto Exe, is born.














Why the Exe sub name? Like other Daihatsu cars such as the boxy Move Conte, and the adorable Mira Cocoa, the Tanto Exe is a separate car from the Tanto series, despite having the standard or custom line-up.













Now for the basics; since this is a kei car designed for adults, there are different styles to choose from; the standard Exe designed for the simple drivers who wanted this new car reasonably, while the sporty Exe Custom is the ultimate premium lounge gifted with glitz and glamour that this is set to please style-hungry customers. What does the Exe and the Exe Custom have in common? Three answers: Tanto-like front, lack of sliding door, and the Move Conte-esque rear side.







On the inside, this kei car has many premium amenities designed for the stressful drivers everywhere. This kei car packed with pockets, lights (including the top lighting, which is similar to the Kia K7 premium sedan), adjustable seats, tilting steering wheel, air conditioning, audio system, and the ability to play MP3s with the special wire that connects to the Exe's audio system with your device. The Custom RS variant gets not just all the features, but also a sporty MOMO steering wheel.

On the spacing side, the Tanto Exe is great when you need some quality time. Choose from a long-sofa mode, front-side flat mode, half-luggage mode, or a full-luggage mode, and see how these arrangements suit your spacing qualifications.








The Daihatsu Tanto Exe and the Daihatsu Tanto Exe Custom always carry a kei car engine that provides good performance, and best power on future cruises. A natural aspiration KF-VE engine gets over 58PS of power and maintain a healthy fuel economy of 18.6km/L (4WD) to 21.5km/L (2WD), while the Tanto Exe Custom's RS variant is equipped with a turbocharged KF-DET engine delivers an improved power of 64PS with the fuel economy of 19.4km/L (4WD) to 20km/L (2WD). Most Tanto Exe types are equipped with either a 4-speed automatic transmission of CVT.

IS IT AN EXCELLENT CHOICE?
As I told earlier, the excellence theme is the best game for the Tanto Exe. With the standard Exe and the sporty Exe Custom around, this is the best Japanese small car for its excellent packaging, excellent space, excellent performance, excellent fuel economy, and an excellent last-minute addition to the Daihatsu family. How describe the look and feel of the Tanto Exe? It is simple, this is surely the best Daihatsu car ever since this kei car's Tokyo Motor Show preview. From my point of view about the Exe, it looks moderate to look at the car's exterior, while the Custom model boasts a surprisingly good look among buyers who wanted style more than just dependability. Once you are inside the Exe or the Exe Custom, be happy for this kei car's excellence. You will need it.


Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.